How to Adapt Bocce for the Blind or those with Low Vision transcript
PAUL: Hi, I'm Paul Olson and I'm the superintendent at North Dakota Vision Services/ School for the Blind. My background is in orientation and mobility, and as such I've had an opportunity to work with a lot of people over the years doing recreational activities both indoors and out. One of my favorite activities is the game bocce, which is a backyard game. I'd like to show you some of the adaptations so that everyone can be successful and have fun with this game. 
My friend Brandon and Mike are gonna play a little bocce today. And Brandon has no sight, Mike has a little bit of sight, but what's nice is is that this is a game that anyone can play regardless of your level of vision.
Bocce can be played in almost any backyard. It's nice to have a little bit of space, perhaps rectangular, but you can play it going around a building, whatever space that you have available to you. The regulation court, I believe is 75 feet in length and 15 feet wide, but most people will just choose to deal again with whatever space they have. 
When we're rolling the ball, it's done underhand, and initially the target ball is thrown. It's a little white ball about the size of a golf ball, [a close-up view of a white ball called the pallino or Jack] and that's generally the target. A nice adaptation that might be made for folks if they have low vision is using a baseball or a softball. [a close-up view of a softball and the smaller pollino] It's the same color but a little bit larger target for viewing and especially if the grass is a little bit taller it's just going to be easier for everyone to see. 
With all of these balls I would suggest if someone is playing that is visually impaired, we have an opportunity to investigate, check them out. "And Brandon, here's the, Brandon, here's the target ball." So again the ball is thrown underhand, just like a bowling ball. [Paul provides guidance to Brandon, demonstrating how to throw underhand] Playing with someone who is very low vision or totally blind, the American Printing House for the Blind Portable Sound Source is a really nice option. [a close-up view of the APH portable sound source] and the reason is, is because a button can be pressed, and it will sound a tone. [Brandon examines the portable sound source] It comes with a remote control, when it's their turn they would simply press the remote control and it would sound the device and they would be able to localize and pinpoint where the target is when they're rolling their ball. 
[Paul turns on the sound source] beep beep [Brandon rolls his ball toward the beeping target] "Nice throw! You're within three feet. Go ahead Mike, yeah! And you had plenty of distance, it went off to the left a little bit." If you don't have that product from the American Printing House for the Blind that beeps, a sighted person could simply clap their hands, but it'd be important to do it down near the ground where the target actually rests. The other thing that I would encourage if the sound source is used, I really think using a pail [Paul places the sound source into a pail] not only makes a larger target visually, but it really protects the sound source if the bocce ball itself hits the target, which is called kissing the target. 
[Brandon throws the ball] The official game is played up to 16 points but it's oftentimes played up to 13 points. For instance, a player has two balls closer to the target than the opponent's they could score two points. If, however, the balls are staggered and one player is closer and then a next player has a ball that's a little bit further off, there is only one point scored on this round. These other balls are irrelevant. But if a player has two balls closer to the target they could score two points. [Paul scores a frame] "Mike scored another point, but Brandon, you had one right on, right on track. It fell about five feet short, but it was right in line. Your other one went on off to the right a little bit." 
So if you have two balls that are basically the same distance and you don't have a measuring device that's really precise, these would just cancel each other out, and you wouldn't have any one score on this round, so, and there's nothing wrong with that. That round is just kind of forgotten, and you just turn around and play the opposite direction again. 
[Paul on his knees, measuring distance with a white cane] "Brandon did get two points on this round." [Paul using his steps to measure distance] "1, 2, 3, 4, 5 feet, Brandon, from the target, and Mike's is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 from the target, so Brandon you picked up a point on this one. I think that's pretty common to use their feet to measure as well." 
If someone has a visual advantage, it might be minimal, but at that rate, you could play some rounds with both people are wearing a blindfold, just like goalball. And that's another nice option.
I hope that this has inspired you to get out and try the game with whatever accommodations that are helpful for you. It's an easy game. It can be very light-hearted and most everyone can find the game available in a big-box store near you or a hardware store. It's inexpensive, and whether someone is six years old or 96 years old, almost everyone can find a way to enjoy this game. So good luck and give it a try. [Mike throws a ball] 
If you have any questions about playing this game or other recreational activities, please contact me, Paul Olson, at North Dakota Vision Services/ School for the Blind. Our website is ndvisionservices.com. My email address is p-o-l-s-o-n at n-d dot gov. You could also call our main number at 701-795-2700.